Traffic safety signal switch



Jan. 26 1926. 1,570,982

R. M. WILLIAMS TRAFFIC SAFETY SIGNAL SWITCH Filed April '7, 1922 INVENTOR l BY ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 26, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT M. WILLIAMS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR T0 TRAFFIC SIGNAL CORPORA- TION, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

TRAFFIC SAFETY SIGNAL SWITCH.

' Application filed April 7,

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ROBERT M. LWILLIAMJS, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York city, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Trafiic Safety Signal Switches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to traffic safety signals, and the principal object is to provide automatic switch means for informing the traffic officer and also those who may be behind of the intention of the driver of a car to slow down or turn.

Another object is to provide automatic means whereby upon operation of a switch when the steering wheel of the vehicle is turned in either direction from normal, a corresponding one of signal lights will be illuminated.

WVith these and other objects in view which will be more apparent as the specification proceeds, the invention resides in certain novel construction and combination and arrangement of parts, the essential features of which are hereinafter fully described, are

particularly pointed out in the appended claim, and are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a partial diagrammatic vertical sectional view of the invention applied to an automobile.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the same.

Like characters of reference refer to like parts in both views.

Referring to the drawing in detail, represents the chassis of an automobile, 11, the front axle thereof; 12, the tie rod; 13, the battery; and 14, the rear mud guards all of which may be of any usual well-known construction.

Mounted on the right and left mud guards 14 are respective electric signal lamps 15 and 16 which are connected by a wire 17 with one terminal of the battery 13. From lamp 15, a wire 18 leads forward into a three-way switch 19 of any desired and suitable type; and similarly a wire 20 leads from lamp 16 forward into switch 19. The switch is also connected by a wire 22 with the other terminal of the battery 13. The switch is operable by its rotatable centerpost 21 so as to complete the circuit through members 22, 18, 15, 17 and 13 when the rod 1922. Serial No. 550,325.

12 is shifted to effect a right turn; and through members 22, 20, 16, 17 and 13 when 12 is shifted to effect a left turn. lVhen the driving is straight ahead the circuit is open.

The means for operating switch rod 21 is as follows. Seated in the exposed end of rod 21 and extending forwardly therefrom is a rod 23 which passes freely through an eye in a member 24. Member 24 has its lower end bent forwardly into a toe 25 and is apertured for the passage of the threaded end of a rod 26 the other end of which is bent into a co-acting toe 27, the members 24 and 26 forming a clamp for gripping the front axle 11. It will be readily understood that as the rod 12 moves relatively to axle 11 in making a turn, the switch 19 is moved with relation to member 24 and the member 23 and the post 21 will he moved through a corresponding arc.

Secured to a transverse brace member of the automobile frame, by a member 28 is a switch 29 in which is a contact (not shown) connected by a branch wire 30 with the above mentioned wire 22. Branch wires 31 and 32 secured respectively. to wires 18 and 20 also enter switch 29 and are connected to a, plunger 33 normally in inner, non contacting position. But when the plunger is pulled outwardly it will close the circuit through both lamps 15 and 16. Any suitable switch may be used for the purpose. Plunger 33 is connected by a spring 34 with the brake lever 35 so that forward movement of the lever 35 will move the plunger 33 to circuit closing position.

It will therefore be seen that when the driver of an equipped car. slows down, both signals 15 and 16 are lighted giving notice to the traffic police as well as to those in rear. If the driver then turns his wheel to make a turn, both lights remain on until the brake is released at which time the light corresponding to the turn remains on and the other goes out.

lVhat is claimed is In a switch mechanism for automobiles comprising a casing fixed to the steering rod thereof, a center post rising from the casing and adapted to actuate the movable contacts of the switch, a horizontally disposed rod secured to the upper end of the center post, an upright member provided with an eye in one end to receive the rod and being bent angularly at its opposite end to engage the front axle of the automobile, a rod having a toe formed on one end there of to engage the axle upon its side opposite the angled end of the upright member in a manner for cooperative association therewith and said rod having its opposite end threaded and secured in an apertui'e formed in the upright for the purpose specified. 10

In testirnon; whereof I h.) aflixed my signature.

ROBERT M. WILLIAMS. 

